The catastrophic earthquake that hit Pakistan, Kashmir, and India -- claiming over 40,000 lives -- presents a new call to action for the healthcare industry and the world at large. A list of relief organizations in the best position to help is at the bottom of this story.

DOTmed sent an email to about 2,000 DOTmed Users who live in Pakistan and India offering our sympathy and seeking information.

The text of that email is below; many of the emails we received follow:

"Dear DOTmed User,

We here in the U.S. and at DOTmed.com have been following the tragic news of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that has stuck south Asia, causing over 30,000 deaths. Our hearts go out to everyone in their time of need.

We will cover this event in DOTmed News and ask all our Users to donate and help with the relief effort.

If you have been affected personally by the earthquake and have special needs that other DOTmed Users might be able to help with, please let us know by sending us an email.

If you know of anyone in need of medical equipment or supplies, please let us know that too and we will try and get the word out to our Users.

We sincerely hope that life in your area will improve soon.

Very truly yours,

Philip F. Jacobus, President
DOTmed.com, Inc."

We received many grateful replies, and have reprinted them below. We are sharing them with you in order to facilitate the relief efforts from our industry. Please assist where you can. Some writers request donations of equip or funds. DOTmed suggests all donations be coordinated through an on-site established charity. Some writers offer their eye witness accounts as well as thanks for your help:


Date: Mon, October 10, 2005 7:28 pm

Dear Sir

Many thanks for your letter . What sorts of things are usually on offer at dot med for such types of catastrophes . In Pakistan what will be needed most will be light weight Tentage type hospitals and their light equipment for small operations , small portable blood counters and electrolyte measurers , portable ventilators , light weight monitors -defibrillators are needed . Paediatric care things for example etc.Often US military make use of such portable equipments .

About the rest most things are available locally and I anticipate sufficient funds from major governments and local donors to provide . Weight is a great constraint even if things were available .

Dr. M. I. shaikh
Islamabad
Pakistan

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Date: Mon, October 10, 2005 9:09 pm

Dear Mr. Phil,

I am presently in the earthquake affected area where me my colleague doctors are working under the cover of PIMA relief, a body of Pakistani doctors which is working for the help of destitute for the past two decades. I happen to be its ex President.

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